H11 projector options

[DreamRun08]

I have recently purchased a HID kit. When I installed it in my 2008 4runner and tested them out I noticed that I wasn't getting good projection at all. The light was uneven and very dim on the driver's side. Taking a closer look at the housing I saw the markings TYC, then realized that the previous owner must have changed them out. Great....

Now what I want to know is, What Options do I have for H11 Projectors (I don't want to buy new bulbs). Or where can I get stock OEM projectors. I don't mind retrofitting, just don't want to spend the extra money on new bulbs when I already have a couple pairs.

 

[NinjaOne]

theretrofitsource.com had a kit for 06-09 for a quick retrofit of a HID projector. I don't see it listed on their website, but I'm sure they would recommend something if you called them.

The 06-09 stock projectors are not designed around HIDs, they do work but don't perform as well as a better projector. TYC is OEM replacement quality, its what I'm running on mine. Is only one side TYC?

I wouldn't expect output to be dimmer on one side. Check to make sure the headlights are aligned, try swapping the brighter bulb to the dimmer side.

 

[cbr400rr]

Here is the link for the projectors that are a direct bolt on.
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/c...m-toyota-scion-tc-2008-2010.html#.V6tPWfkrK2w

 

[TheTurboMRT]

Here is the link for the projectors that are a direct bolt on.
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/c...m-toyota-scion-tc-2008-2010.html#.V6tPWfkrK2w

They're discontinuing the mounting plate, which is what is for sale in that ad. You'll also need the $40 bi-xenon projectors from this link:
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/projectors/bi-xenon-acme-d2s-bi-xenon.html#.V6teyE0rJhE

As well as a ballast and D2S bulbs. I just did this retrofit two weeks ago, and it works great!

 

[NinjaOne]

They're discontinuing the mounting plate, which is what is for sale in that ad. You'll also need the $40 bi-xenon projectors from this link:
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/projectors/bi-xenon-acme-d2s-bi-xenon.html#.V6teyE0rJhE

As well as a ballast and D2S bulbs. I just did this retrofit two weeks ago, and it works great!

I was considering that. How does the light output compare to the 06-09 projectors? Do you know why they've discontinued? Just not enough demand?

 

[TheTurboMRT]

I was considering that. How does the light output compare to the 06-09 projectors?

It's wider, and the cutoff is much sharper. I have photos of the old HID's in the stock projector, and the new one, I'll try to post them tonight after work.

Added bonus, the D2S housings are high/low housings, so the cutoff actually has a solenoid that moves for high and low beams. If you wire them up, and use a Y-adapter cable to connect to your stock high beams, bam, quad high beams.

 

[NinjaOne]

It's wider, and the cutoff is much sharper. I have photos of the old HID's in the stock projector, and the new one, I'll try to post them tonight after work.

Added bonus, the D2S housings are high/low housings, so the cutoff actually has a solenoid that moves for high and low beams. If you wire them up, and use a Y-adapter cable to connect to your stock high beams, bam, quad high beams.

Pictures would be awesome. Easy install? Maybe I'll grab a set and blackout my headlights at the same time.

 

[TheTurboMRT]

The hardest part is really removing the headlights from the vehicle.
The retrofit and black-out can probably be done in less than an hour per headlight, once you have them out.
Remove 5 philips head screws from the headlight
Bake the headlight at 200-250 degrees (F) for about 10 minutes
Use a screwdriver to pry the halves apart
Remove the chromed plastic
Use oven cleaner to clean the chrome off of the headlight chrome, then spray with your favorite plastic-approved spray paint.
Remove the old projector housing (4 screws)
Install new projector housing to plate, attach plate to headlight housing (6 screws)
Install blacked out headlight surround
Bake and install outer lens to headlight, attach 5 screws
Install bulb, use RTV or Silicone to seal between the old headlight housing gasket and the new connectors. You need straight D2S connectors, 90 degree angles will hit the housing.
Run the high beam solenoid wires, and attach the connector
Reinstall in car, hook up wires.

I did 2 headlights in my living room in an hour and a half all together, but they were already blacked out.

 

[aquilon]

I need to buy those plates if they're discontinuing.

 

[DreamRun08]

They're discontinuing the mounting plate, which is what is for sale in that ad. You'll also need the $40 bi-xenon projectors from this link:
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/projectors/bi-xenon-acme-d2s-bi-xenon.html#.V6teyE0rJhE

As well as a ballast and D2S bulbs. I just did this retrofit two weeks ago, and it works great!

I'm actually looking for an option to use my H11 bulbs whether it's HID projectors or just pain halogen projectors.
Thanks for your input though.

 

[DreamRun08]

theretrofitsource.com had a kit for 06-09 for a quick retrofit of a HID projector. I don't see it listed on their website, but I'm sure they would recommend something if you called them.

The 06-09 stock projectors are not designed around HIDs, they do work but don't perform as well as a better projector. TYC is OEM replacement quality, its what I'm running on mine. Is only one side TYC?

I wouldn't expect output to be dimmer on one side. Check to make sure the headlights are aligned, try swapping the brighter bulb to the dimmer side.

I emailed TRS, they sent me a similar link
.https://www.theretrofitsource.com/c...html?preselect=50325,51446,50559#.V40YZ7grKUk
but still not what I'm looking for. they don't seem to have or know of any projector options for the H11 bulb.

As far as TYC, from what I've read they are the leading brand of aftermarket headlight housings, but still does not compare to stock. The projectors(at least mine) are terrible, and yes Ive adjusted them. The left projector seems to concentrate light more towards the ground than at the cut off. I may just have a defective one, but its no bueno! I will try the squirrel finder mod to see if that helps any.

Thanks

 

[NinjaOne]

I emailed TRS, they sent me a similar link
.https://www.theretrofitsource.com/c...html?preselect=50325,51446,50559#.V40YZ7grKUk
but still not what I'm looking for. they don't seem to have or know of any projector options for the H11 bulb.

As far as TYC, from what I've read they are the leading brand of aftermarket headlight housings, but still does not compare to stock. The projectors(at least mine) are terrible, and yes Ive adjusted them. The left projector seems to concentrate light more towards the ground than at the cut off. I may just have a defective one, but its no bueno! I will try the squirrel finder mod to see if that helps any.

Thanks

Oh, got it. I was looking around earlier, looks like a couple people were able to get some larger projectors retrofitted. A little more work than their quick kit, but higher-end projectors look like they should work with a little love.

 

[riceandpho]

check the bulb alignment, also make sure the return wire is at the bottom. i would perfer a full retrofit done right, the d2s 2.0 is a ok projector, but if you decide to upgrade from that, itll save you a headache later on, there are better projectors than the d2s 2.0.

 

[NinjaOne]

check the bulb alignment, also make sure the return wire is at the bottom. i would perfer a full retrofit done right, the d2s 2.0 is a ok projector, but if you decide to upgrade from that, itll save you a headache later on, there are better projectors than the d2s 2.0.

How much larger of a projector will fit in the 06-09 housing? I know the 03-05 is easier to retrofit due to the large reflectors....

 

[riceandpho]

How much larger of a projector will fit in the 06-09 housing? I know the 03-05 is easier to retrofit due to the large reflectors....

someone back then did a ls430 in the 06-09 housing. also [MENTION=19297]chaz[/MENTION] had someone did fxr in his 06-09 housing, i myself did the rx-afs projectors. someone also did a tsx projector which was quite popular back then, then that person had someone do s2000 projector to replace that. i think someone did try the new 3.0 d2s. if i were to redo my setup, i would choose rx afs with custom shield, maybe the prism star style since i like to make people think a cop is behind them. althought a s2000 is good. the price is hard to beat.

 

[chaz]

if your upgrading projectors, id also like to suggest getting a higher end bulb like CBI or phillips & OEM ballasts, they make a world of difference!

 

[DreamRun08]

if your upgrading projectors, id also like to suggest getting a higher end bulb like CBI or phillips & OEM ballasts, they make a world of difference!

I have the Xenon Depot Xtreme HID Kit. From what I've heard they're some of the best. Do you have any personal experience with them? Also whats CBI?
Update: I just checked out the Osram D2S CBI bulbs at TRS, and they look really nice thanks for the recommendation. Really expensive though. also I have two sets of H11 bulbs I'd like to put to use.

 

[chaz]

yes, I ran xenon depot for years and I tell ya, if you think its fine in stock headlights, you will be blown away at how much better a good retrofit is with better bulbs & ballasts! you get what you pay for, cbi bulbs do cost more but imo they are way, way better! and oem ballasts are almost instant on to full brightness.

 

[DreamRun08]

yes, I ran xenon depot for years and I tell ya, if you think its fine in stock headlights, you will be blown away at how much better a good retrofit is with better bulbs & ballasts! you get what you pay for, cbi bulbs do cost more but imo they are way, way better! and oem ballasts are almost instant on to full brightness.

interesting, you seem to know a whole lot about HID's. I'll probably upgrade in the future, but for now.. I just bought this kit with extra bulbs. So I'd like to put it to use the only thing is I realized my TYC projectors are crap, and was looking for any alternative projectors that I can use my H!! bulbs in. Even if it means using the stock '06-'09 OEM POS. Right now anything is better than what I've got.

 

[TheTurboMRT]

Pictures would be awesome. Easy install? Maybe I'll grab a set and blackout my headlights at the same time.

NinjaOne
Here's two pics for you, close up against garage, night shot on highway. Headlights are still aimed too far down slightly, but night visibility is awesome.

Pics of previous setup and comparison are in this thread. It goes over OEM H11's, LED replacements and XenonDepot plug and play HID bulbs. All in OEM projector housing.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...headlight-bulbs-06-09-projector-housings.html